Blue Is The Color Of Thanks...

How do you say "thank you" to someone who has everything? Well, you know one of the ways I say thanks is to make a gift from my hands.

Our hostess on Nantucket likes the color blue. (I could tell from her decor.) I went into my groovy stash and found a roll of the most perfect batiks in a cool line called "Glacier Ice". I immediately knew that these are the fabrics I'd be using. So, I guess that, at least in this case, blue is the color of thanks!
I just found a great line of rulers, too. They're from a company called Creative Grids. They're non-slip and come in different configurations to create different blocks. The ruler I'm going to use is the 45º Double Strip Ruler. It will create the block I point out in the photo above, simply starting with two 2 1/2" jelly roll strips sewn together.

I'll be taking photographs of the process to share with you when I start on it today, so you can see how the rulers work. I'll also share my progress on this quilt as I create it.

This one will be a large lap quilt, and I'll have my friend, Kathy, do the finish quilting on her long-arm machine. Hope you'll want to follow along. I'm putting this in the line-up ahead of the Christmas projects I've got scheduled for this year. Lots to do between now and December 10th (my self-imposed deadline), and a time table to follow (of course!), so there's no time to waste.

Be sure to let me know if you have any questions. I'll answer them on the same post where your question appears, and then everyone will be able to read my replies.

October Blissfull Swap...

The theme for October's Blissfull ATC Swap was "Dark". From following my writings, you'll know that I'm a "glass-half-full" kinda gal, and I'm basically an optimistic person. I don't decorate for Halloween and really never have. No particular reason...just a fact. I love fall, and have decorated in fall themes in the past (when we lived up North), but tend to lean more toward clean and summery in Florida - no matter the season.

The reason I tell you this is because that theme "Dark" was a real challenge for both my partner and me this month! What to do? What to do?

My swap partner this month is Sharon Chapman of Wildflower House. She's been under the weather lately (got the flu from her flu shot!!!), and is being harassed by the local wildlife (bears and a cougar!), so if you have a chance, please visit her blog and tell her you hope she feels better soon. She's a wonderful needleworker and a real inspiration for anyone who enjoys working with threads and beads.She explained her interpretation to me in her letter, and I think it's genius! One year, she planted an entire garden in white flowers, and when the moonlight shone on it, the whole yard sparkled! This was how she translated her vision into an artist trading card. I think it's fabulous and am so happy and honored to own it! Needlework by Sharon's own, two, talented hands.
She even embellished the envelope she used to mail the card to me! Lord, I was happy just to receive the envelope! Really!!
This is what I did and why...
I found a great moonlight/Art Deco/ocean waves image and decided I'd work with it this month. I stippled all over my deep purple cotton fabric in a dark blue, metallic thread and then affixed my image - after I'd added color using fabric paints. Figuring that the stars sparkle even when it's dark outside, I decided that all the light in this card should come from the strength of the woman standing next to the glistening waves.
When I completed that "Dark" card, I really needed to lighten things up for my partner, so I then created a "Light and Airy" card as it's companion. I find great comfort in the thought that whenever there is darkness, there will always again be light.I took a lovely cotton fabric and stippled a silver metallic thread all over it. Then I added a cheerful image from one of my British cigarette cards, in the form of flowers. A crystal heart, a cluster of ribbon flowers, and a sterling silver fairy to tend to this Light garden and my ATC was complete! There you have it! "Dark" and "Light and Airy" for my friend, Sharon.
I also thought I'd show you one of my ATC storage boxes. I love this one because I can change out the front ATC to see a new one whenever I feel like it! I'm also able to store my available ATCs, pens and slip sheets there, too. It's lucite, and I've had it for years. I might have to go on a search for another soon, though. This one's getting full!

A Cottage On Nantucket...

I just had to share a few images of the beautiful cottage we stayed in while we were on Nantucket. My brother-in-law and his new wife had contacted all of their friends, who graciously opened up their homes and guest cottages (free of charge) to all of us coming to the island for the wedding.

Don't you just love the little stone birdbath tucked under one of the trees in the garden? I think I might try to find something like this for our yard at home. I really liked it.
Our cottage is owned by another artist on the island and is located behind the owner's home. It's set on a little hill behind the main house's backyard, and has a lovely little stone path leading to its front door.
This is a view across the front yard of the cottage...featuring a checkerboard patio with the perfect spot to sit and enjoy a morning cup of coffee.Don't you love the lichen and age on the bench under the pergola? I don't think I'd sit there, but it was lovely to look at.
This is the view of the owner's home from the front door of the cottage. It's quite a large house, and typical of Nantucket homes, is directly on the street with no front yard. There is only a narrow brick sidewalk and a granite curb between the house and the actual roadway.And this is the sweet garden growing in the yard between the house and the cottage. You can just catch a glimpse of the gate which leads to the street from the upper yard and guest house.
When we opened the front door, this was what greeted us. A warm, friendly and thoroughly quaint interior. Hardwood floors, and all the amenities one would want in a full-time home, let alone a guest cottage! Behind those wooden doors at the end of the dining room is a laundry room, and just look at the old cabinet on the left that was built into the wall for storage!
Wicker furniture and a day bed cum sofa all sitting on a gorgeous, old rug make for a comfortable place to sit and visit, or read a book. We did both! Just behind the little blue bench is the staircase leading to the bath and two bedrooms. There was easily sleeping space for six upstairs, with a twin trundle bed and two queen size beds...all spindle beds and veeerryy nice for sleeping.

We couldn't have asked for a more restful and commodious place to stay while on the island. I hope you enjoyed seeing just a bit of what we were able to enjoy while we were there.

Dinny - if you read this post, Thanks again for your generosity and hospitality. Words cannot express our gratitude for you opening your home and cottage to us for the time we were visiting.